Prepayment mechanism for gas and similar meters



Aug. 7, 1-934: E. w. SMITH ET AL PREPAYMENT MECHANISM FOR GASVVAND.SIMILAR METERS Filed May 2, 1933 7 Sheets-Sheet l.

"Aug? 7, 1934- i E. w. SMITH ET AL PREPAYMENT MECHANISM FOR GAS ANDSIMILAR METERS Filed May 2, 1933 v Sheets-Shef; 2

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Inventors y AA 3 W J Attorney Aug. 7. 1934. E. w. SMITH Er AL hIREPAYMENTMEQHANISM FOR GAS AND SIMILAR METERS Filed May 2, 1933 m P. kC f i E a fl fl I L a .14 I e 2 5 e lg 36/.// 4d \f 4 H 2 x uk Inventors*8 0M Flg. 12 a, I

. b A). 5. 2W 1' .Attomey a 93 s. w. SMITH El AL 1,969,675

PREPAYMENT MECHANISM FOR GAS AND SIMILAR METERS Filed May 2,1933 7 sheets 'sheet 4' Inventors i. (If. a M. y A) I {2% J Attorney.

E. w. SMITH Er AL PREPAYMENT MECHANISM FOR GAS Aub SIMILAR us'rsns Aug.7, 1934.

Filed May 2. 1933 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 idhdimili v mama.

.4 item ey g 1334. 53w. SMITH ET AL PRE PAYMENT MECHANISMVF'OR GAS ANDSIMILAR METERS Filed May 2,. I933 7 She et Inventor g- 1 v E. w. SMITHET AL 1,969,675

PREPAYIIENT MECHANISM FOR GAS AND SIMILAR METERS Filed May 2, 1935 7sheets-sheet 7 1 l"/i i I f I i I b l I I b "1 E 1 1 ,W e! j; o

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1 n vntors @m y M. 2 1m J Attorney- Patented Aug. 7, 1934 PATENT QFHCEUNITED STATES Ernest William Smith and Arthur Charles, London, EnglandApplication May 2, 1933, Serial No. 668,950 In Great Britain May 2, 193110 Claims. (01. 19442) This invention relates to coin controlledprepayment mechanism for gas and similar meters, and especially toprepayment mechanism for prepayment meters adapted for operation bycoins of more than one Value or size without any adjustmentbeingnecessary to render it operable by either or any of the coins ofdilierent value or size.

According to the invention, coin controlled mechanism for gas andsimilar meters adapted for automatically selective operation by coins ofmore than one value is provided with an epicyclic ear to transmitmovement from the coin holder mechanism to the quantity mechanism, whichepicyclic gear in itself and Without the aid of additional gearingexterior to the sun Wheels gives the required reduction ratios for theseveral values or sizes of coin with which the coin freed mechanism isadapted to operate.

According to the invention, moreover, measuring Wheels are providedcorresponding to the values of the coins with which the prepaymentmechanism is adapted to operate, and the respective measuring wheels maybe respectively provided with a sun Wheel and sun pinion which areco-axial and independent, while a corresponding integral or connectedco-axial planetary wheel and planetary pinion in engagement respectivelywith the sun pinion and sun wheel are mounted upon ,a planetary cage orthe equivalent, the planetary cage being adapted to rotate upon thecommon axis of the sun wheel and sun pinion. The complete rotation ofthe cage may be effected 0n the operation of the mechanism by a coin ofa higher value, while partial rotation of the cage may,

be effected in the operation of the mechanism by a coin of a lowervalue, the planetary cage being also adapted for complete rotation bysuccessive operation with coins of lower value to the numbercorresponding to the'coin of higher value by which the planetarycage mayalso be rotated in a single operation of the coin holder.

According to the invention, moreover, a member or an arm may be providedto be relatively rotatable with respect to the planetary cage and tocarry two pinions of an epicyclic gear which may respectively engage twojuxta-posed toothed wheels through which the movement of the planetarycage is transmitted to the valve-operating gear. 7

According to the invention,'again, the juxtaposed toothed wheels may beprovided as crown wheels and may engage two pinions carried by themember or arm relatively movable with respect to the planetary cage orthe spindle thereof, each of the two pinions engaging each of thetoothed wheels.

' According to the invention, moreover, the memher or arm beforereferred to may be mounted upon a spindle which is directly orindirectly connected With-and forms the drivingmember for a valveoperating disc or the equivalent which is thus rotated from the saidmember or arm to open or close the valve according to the direction ofrotation of the member or arm as determined by the coin holder or by themeter mechanism.

According to the invention, moreover, thevalve operating spindle or thelike which is rotated from the coin holder'by'the mechanism such as thathereinbefore described may'carry a crank pin and cooperating stop memberadapted to transmit rotation to the valve operating disc or the likethrough a Maltese cross device which I is co-axial with and in fixedrelation to the valve 7 disc or the like which is mounted upon a spindleparallel with the spindle of'the said member or arm. By such means theadvantage of repeated operation of the coin holder mechanism to cover alarge range of prepayment is secured.

According to the invention, moreover, in a coin holder suitable foroperating with the mechanism described, a striker plate or theequivalent carrying the engaging pawl or striker may be mounted withinthe coin holder and be adapted on the insertion of a coin to have alengthwisemovement as well as a transverse movement towards or away fromthe measuring wheels, whereby the pawl or striker may recede from one ofthe measuring wheels before to engage the other. Thus, the measuringwheel of larger diameter may be adapted to be operated by a shilling,and that of smaller diameter bya penny, but the mechanism is not adaptedto permit of the engagement of either of the 95 measuring wheels by theuse of a halfpenny nor of any other coin of a size difierent from thoseby which the mechanism is intended to be operated.

According is to say, with'a 1:1 ratio. Such a mechanism is 1.10

taking up a position to the invention in a modified con- 1 00 structionof the coin freed mechanism, one or is to be operated, and the coinholder 1s propocket on the clockwise movement of the coin example of ashilling, the coin does not remain wheels.

which according to the value of the coin inserted effects selectiveengagement of one of the measuring wheels, or alternatively locks themeasuring wheels to move as a unit.

According to the invention, moreover, in a construction of coin holdersuitable for use with the modified prepayment mechanism, the strikerplate or the equivalent which is actuated on the insertion of a coin maybe adapted to have imparted to it an inward or transverse movement withreference to the axis of rotation of the coin holder in the use of asmaller coin, such as a shilling, by which a tooth at the upper end ofthe striker plate or the equivalent may engage the quantity wheels;while alternatively the striker plate or the equivalent is'adapted tohave an additional pivotal movement on the insertion of a larger coin,such as a penny, whereby a tooth at the opposite end of the strikerplate or the equivalent may engage one of the quantity By such means oneand the same coin holder and one and the same striker plate or itsequivalent may be used for coins of more than one size and value.

According to the invention, moreover, the coin mechanism so provided maybe so constructed that when a coin, such as a halfpenny, of a sizeintermediate the sizes of those by which the mechanism is operable asaforesaid is employed, the extent of the pivotal movement imparted tothe striker plate or the equivalent in the use of such a coin is suchthat the striker plate or the equivalent can engage neither of thequantity wheels, so that thus the mechanism is in a simple way renderedinopera'bleby such a coin.

' In another construction of coin holder according to the invention,suitable for use with the modified coin-control mechanism, thepricechanging disc upon which the coin-actuated mechanism is mounted isprovided in determined position corresponding to that at which the coinholder is set at the commencement of its movement, with separate andadjacent slots for the coins of different values by which the mechanismvided with separate strikers for actuation by the respective coins, thestrikers being mounted in adjacent positions and being adapted so thatthe striker corresponding to the coin of smaller value is independentlyoperable, while the striker corresponding to the coin of higher valuewhen actuated causes the actuation of the other "striker, so that thusboth the adjacent quantity coin holder of a coin of lngher value.

wheels are engaged on the introduction into the According to theinvention, moreover, the coin pockets are so provided that while thepocket for the coin of lower value is such that the coin cannot bedisplayed from its position in the holder, the coin pocket for the coinof higher value is open to the adjacent pocket of the coin of lowervalue, so that thus in the clockwise rotation of the coin holder afterthe insertion for parallel with the coin pocket, but on being thrustoutwards by means of the helical spring to which the striker is subject,engages with the inner periphery of the coin holder casing and as thecoin holder is rotated clockwise the coin is thus tilted to ananglewhereby the outer edge of the coin comes to rest against the sideof the adjacent penny pocket. In this operation the quang tity wheelsare both rotated to the same extent adapted to operate with a coinholder mechanism' as would the quantity wheel when engaged by the singlestriker on actuation by a coin of lower value. Thus the strikers aredisengaged from the respective quantity wheels at exactly the sameposition as is the single striker when actuated by a coin of lowervalue. shilling is released at the same position as a penny to passthrough the same discharge slot provided in determined position in thelower part of the casing to drop into the coin receptacle beneath.

According'to the invention, moreover, the coin pocket or coin spaceadapted to receive the large coin may have one of the walls lying normalto the coin slot formed by a movable element mounted under spring actionand of such form that normally it presents an inclined or groovedsurface as the wall of the coin pocket or coin space, such that on theintroduction of a small coin the depression of the said element isinsufficient to ensure a stable position of the coin, with the resultthat under. spring action the ele ment functions to reject the coin fromthe coin slot, while on the introduction of a coin of the size for whichthe coin slot is intended the said element is depressed to an extent torender the spring action no longer eiiective to reject the coin.

According to the invention, also, the movable or ejector element isadvantageously provided to be pivoted upon an axis transverse to andadjacent one end of the coin slot adapted to receive a large coin, andin its normal position is maintained, under the action of a spring, withan inclined or curved face partly obstructing the entry of a coin intothe coin pocket or coin space.

Where it may be desirable with reference to the modified construction ofcoin-controlled mechanism to use a coin holder in which the measuringwheels are independently engaged by measuring wheel is not directlyoperated when,

the coin mechanism is actuated in the use of a coin of higher value, butis moved forward by the ratchet or free wheel device on the rotation ofthe quantity or measuring wheel to which movement is imparted in the useof a coin of higher value.

The invention further comprises the features hereinafter described.

The invention is illustrated by way of example in the accompanyingdrawings.

Figure 1 is a sectional elevation of a mechanism according to theinvention.

Figure 2 is a cross-section on the line 2-2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a cross section on the line 33 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a sectional elevation of a modified construction ofmechanism according to the invention.

Figure 5 is an end view of the mechanism shown in Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a side elevation of a. coin holder suitable for use with themechanism represented in Figures 1 to 5.

In this way the b number of figures included in the ;in the end wall ofthe *1 la toothed sun pinion b Figure 7 is a transverse section throughthe coin holder. 7

Figure 8 shows the coin holder in side elevation'and illustrates thedisposition of the parts upon the insertion of a coin of the smallersize with which the coin holder is adapted to operate.

Figure 9 is a similar view of the coin holder illustrating thedisposition of the parts on the insertion of a coin of the larger sizewith which the coin holder is adapted to operate.

Figure 10 is a side elevation partly in section of a modified form ofcoin controlled mechanism.

Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view of the mechanism shown in Figure 10taken in rear reducing gear. 7

Figure 12 is an end elevation of the mechanism shown in Figure 10.

Figure 13 is a side elevation of a coin holder suitable for use with themodified coin-controlled mechanism, represented within its casing, whichis shown in section.

Figure 14 is a rear elevation of the coin holder and price changing discshown in Figure 13.

Figure 15 is a view similar to Figure 13, showing the parts as disposedwhen a coin or the smaller size with which the mechanism is adapted tooperate is present in the coin holder.

Figure 16 is a view similar to Figure 15, but showing the disposition ofthe parts'when a coin of the larger size with which the mechanism isadapted to operate is present in the coin holder.

Figure 17 is a sectional side elevation of a modified coin holdermechanism for use with the modified coin-controlled mechanism.

Figure 18 is a rear elevation of the coin holder shown in, Figure 1'7,partly in section.

Figure 19 is a sectional plan view of the coin holder mechanism shown inFigure 1'7.

Figure 20 represents perspective views or" the two strikers provided inthe coin holder shown in Figure 17.

Figures 21, 22 and 23 are views corresponding to Figures 17, 18 and 19of a modified construction of coin holder mechanism. V

Figure 24 is a longitudinal section of a coin holder mechanism providedwith a ratchet or free wheel connection between the measuring wheels,according to the invention.

Figure 25 is a view in elevation of the larger quantity or measuringwheel and the free wheel or ratchet and pawl device of the mechanismshown in Figure 24.

It is to be observed that in view of the large accompanying letters ineach group of of those of other groups drawings, the reference figuresare independent or figures.

In carrying the invention into effect in its application to coincontrolled mechanism, as il-i lustrated in Figures 1 to 3, the measuringwheel a that is adapted for selective operation by a coin of highervalue is mounted upon a tubular sleeve :1 set within a seatingconcentrically provided cylindrical-casing 0 containing the coin holderd, and this tubular sleeve is extended to the rear to carry on itsrearwardly extending end a toothed sun wheel. 0L2. The measuring wheelI) be mounted concentrically upon a tubular spindle or sleeve b mountedwithin the first tubular sleeve a referred to and has mounted upon itsrearward end of the that is adapted forselective joperation by the coinof lower value is adapted to and this second tubular sleeve is inposition adjacent the toothed sun wheel a on the first or surroundingtubular sleeve (1 The rearward end of the inner or second tubular sleeveb is adapted for the reception of the end of a spindle e by whichmovement is transmitted'to the valve operating mechanism and upon whichmay be mounted the planetary cage f.

- The planetary cage has mounted upon it the toothed planetary wheel fand planetary pinion integrally formed or connected together so as torotate together upon the same axis, the planetary pinion f engaging withthe toothed sun wheel a and the planetary toothed wheel 1 engaging'indirectly with the sun pinion 17 through a freely mounted pinion Icarried by the'planetary cage. The gear ratios are chosen in accordancewith the values of the coins with which the mechanism is to operate. 7Thus, when the smaller measuring 'wheel b is operated the sun pinion bhas a corresponding movement imparted to it, whereby the intermediatefreely mounted pinion f carried by the planetary cage f is rotated,thereby causing the rotation of the planetary toothed wheel 1 andplanetary pinion F. The partial rotation of the planetary cage 1 is thuseffected as well as the partial rotation of the spindle e through whichmovement is imparted to the difierential gear serving as the quantitymechanism. Similarly when the larger measuring wheel a is selectivelyoperated in the use of a coin of a higher value the sun toothed wheel ais rotated, thereby causing the rotation of the planetary pinion f andplanetary toothed wheel f to a correspondingly greater extent. In thisway the pianetary cage f'may be rotated in the operation of the coinholder by a coin of higher value through a considerable part of acomplete revolution, while the planetay cage f is rotated substantiallyto the extent of onetwelfth part of that movement on the singleoperation of the coin holder in the use of a coin or lower value in themanner hereinbefore described, it being understood that on thesuccessive use of twelve coins of lower value the planetary cage may berotated in the same manner and to the same extent as when a coin ofhigher value is used in a single operation of the coin holder. In thisway movement may be imparted from the plentary cage to the difierentialgear serving as the quantity mechanism without employing difierent setsof gear trains.

It will-be understood that by the use of spring washers a 12 a certainamount of friction is imposed upon the respective measuring wheels orupon the parts to which they are connected so that thus either the sunwheel a or the sun pinion b is held stationary when the sun pinion b orthe sun wheel a is respectively operated. The "spring washer a may servealso to maintain the measuring wheel a and its associated parts inposition relatively to the casing c.

The planetary cage be constructed in any convenient manner. Thus, asillustrated in the drawings, for example, it comprises a plate 1 mountedat or near the end of the transmission spindle e and this spindle isshaped or provided so that its end may be inserted for support withinthe inner'tubular sleeve b The cage may be completed by the provision ofa segmental-shaped plate f4 disposed-parallel with the referred to andconnected thereto by two or more pins disposed parallel with the axis ofthe cage. The intermediate pinion f is advantageously supported by theplanetary cage by means of a short spindleor pin or bya separate bracketplate before its .the drawings the or by a bracket integrally formed onone of the respective plates of which the cage is constituted.

While the gear ratio of the sun and planetary wheels and pinions may bedetermined to give a supply of gas corresponding to coins such as ashilling and a penny, the ratio may be determined to suit coins of othervalues and to yield proportionate quantities of gas or another commoditycorresponding to those values, while furthermore the construction of therespective parts carrying the sun toothed wheel and sun pinion may bemodified according to practical requirements.

A member or an arm 9 is fixedly mounted upon a spindle h which at theone end finds a bearing in the end of the spindle e and is alsosupported in the end frame plate 2'. The member 9 is provided at theouter end with a cage to carry two pinions g 9 the latter of which has asmaller number of teeth than the formenwhich pinions respectively engagetwo juxta-posed toothed wheels g and with the said wheels form anepicyclic diiferential gear. The respective toothed wheels 9 g of theepicyclic differential gear are co-axial with the planetary cage f, andthe second of the toothed wheels 9 may be mounted upon the same tubularspindle as a worm wheel 7 by which movement may be imparted through aworm 9' from the meter for the return movement of the mechanism and forthe closure of the valve. The first of the two toothed wheelsg ismounted upon the spindle e, and rotates with the planetary cage f. Inthe construction represented in Figures 1 and 3 of spindle It carries atits outer end a valve operating disc is which cooperates with an arm Ifixedly mounted on the pivotal axis of the lever or arm m by which thevalve n is carried. For this purpose the disc is formed with a radialslot k in which is adapted to be received a transverse pin or roller Zsupported by the arm Z. The disc is further formed with a projectingfinger k which serves to act upon the pin or roller Z for the purpose ofclosing the valve.

In the rotation of the planetary cage 1 the arm g carrying the pinions gg of the epicyclic differential gear rotates with the cage. The re--spective pinions 9 g are mounted near the outer end of the arm andengage one with the other, and one pinion g engages the toothed wheel gwhile the other 9 is provided to engage the toothed wheel g Upon theinsertion of a coin into the holder and the rotation of the coin holderto deliver the coins into the receptacle, according to the size of thecoin used so one or other of the measuring wheels at, b is rotated andpending upon the size of the coin. This movement is transmitted by wayof the toothed wheel 9 and the pinions g g to the arm g which thusrotates the disc is which efiects the opening of the valve by depressingthe arm Z. The drive from the meter mechanism which is received throughthe worm i is transmitted by the worm wheel 9' to the toothed wheel 9and thus by way of the pinions g 9 to the arm 9, but in the oppositedirection to that imparted from the coin holder with the result that thedisc is is rotated in the reverse direction for the closure of thevalve.

In the construction represented in Figures 4 and 5 the differential gearbetween the epicyclic reducing gear and the valve operating disc ismodified to the form of a gear comprising two the planetary cage isgiven a movement decrown wheels 0 0 which are respectively secured tothe spindles e and to a sleeve 9 and a radially disposed pinion carrierq upon which are mounted pinions 0 o engaging the crown wheels 0 0 Thecarrier q is mounted upon the spindleh, which at one end is seated in abearing formed in the end of the spindle e. The sleeve 11 serves also tocarry fixedly mounted thereon a worm wheel 7' adapted to engage the worm7' The worm wheel 7' and crown wheel 0 may, however, be formedintegrally. The other end of the said spindle which extends through theframe plate 1' is adapted to carry a crank plate 1' having a segmentalboss r whose periphery has a circular shape and a crank pin 1- the boss1' having a circular recess disposed opposite to the crank pin T Thecrank pin r and the segmental boss 1' are adapted to co-operate in theretation of the crank plate with a Maltese cross element t formed with aseries of equi-distant cavities of circular curvature corresponding tothe curvature of the segmental boss and intermediate radial slots t intowhich slots the pin r successively engages upon the rotation of the saidcrank plate r, thereby causing intermittent and quick movement of thevalve operating disc for the opening or closing of the valve, it beingunderstood that on the. crank plate rotating in the one direction, asdetermined by the rotation of the coin holder, the disc is rotated toopen the valve, while on the rotation in the opposite direction from theworm deriving movement from the meter the valve disc is is rotated toclose the valve.

It will be understood that the Maltese cross gear whereby the operationof the valve disc is is effected intermittently may be applied inmechanism as described with reference to Figures 1 to 3 and inmechanisms other than those hereinbefore described.

The epicyclic gear by which movement may be transmitted from theplanetary cage to the valve operating mechanism, and the valve operatingmechanism by which movement is imparted to the valve are comprisedwithin the invention, but these respective parts which may be replacedby other mechanism of equivalent character and having substantially thesame functions and effects.

It will furthermore be understood that by the intermittent actuation ofthe valve operating gear, the valve may be opened adequately in thesingle operation of the mechanism with a coin of lower value and thattoo when the price changing disc is set at a low or minimum figure.

It will furthermore be understood that means may be provided forlimiting the number of coins which may be introduced into the meter atone and the same time or for limiting the amount of gas or othercommodity for which prepayment may be made. Such means may comprise atoothed wheel or segment mounted upon a spindle of the mechanism that isrelated to the valveoperating gear, that is to say, for example, theremay be provided a toothed wheel upon the spindle of the valve-operatingdisc which toothed wheel may operate a quadrant which serves to move anobturator adapted to be brought into position below the coin dischargeoutlet of the coin holder casing in the manner hereinafter described. Aprepayment indicator may also be provided which is operated from thesame quadrant.

The invention is applicable in conjunction with any suitable form ofcoin holder mechanism adapted to effect selective operation of themeasing arm integral with equivalent h is uring w'heels providedaccording to the size or value of the coin inserted into the coinholder.

In a suitable construction of coin holder, as illustrated in Figures 6to 9 of the accompanying drawings, the coin holder 0. is carried upon arotatable disc b secured on the inner face of the price changing disc 0that is adapted in known manner to close an open-sided cylindricalcasing e within which the respective measuring wheels I, g are mountedupon its inner wall in such manner that where two are employed by whichthe mechanism is alternatively operable by coins of dinerent values suchas a penny and a shilling, a pawl or striker 7L oi a striker plate h isdisposed adjacent the measuring wheels J, g, the arrangement being suchthat on the insertion of a shilling into the coin space in the coinholder 0., the striker plate or the equivalent h is caused to movelengthwise so that the pawl or striker h engages the teeth of the largermeasuring wheel I, as illustrated in Figure 8, while as illustrated inFigure 9 when a penny is inserted the striker plate or the equivalent his moved lengthwise and recedes,

whereby it is sharply withdrawn from contact with the larger measuringwheel 1 and is brought into position to engage the smaller measuringwheel 9 which lies in a position in front of the larger measuring wheel.

The coin holder at is advantageously formed by two plates a a ofsubstantially symmetrical form set normal to and diametrically inparallel positions across the inner face of the rotatable disc I), andeach plate is secured to the rotatable disc I) conveniently by means ofoutwardly extending lugs (1 while one or both of the plates at the outerend is or are bent at right angles to form an outer end wall a withinwhich slots (not shown) are provided within which may engage lugs formedat the outer edge of the other plate. The

i end wall is provided with a lengthwise slot a at a position adjacentthe plate of the side wall with which it is integrally formed, and thepawl or striker h that is formed as an outwardly extendthe striker plateor the able to move in the slot a to the extent determined by theinserted coin, and in the manner hereinbeiore described the pawl orstriker h may recede to extend only slightly, but sufficiently to engagethe measuring wheel 9 of smaller diameter on the insertion of the largercom.

A pair of lengthwise slots or the equivalent i, i are disposed one abovethe other, and have their respective ends disposed parallel to eachother, the ends of the respective slots being connected together by aninclined middle part, so that thus as the striker plate or theequivalent is moved lengthwise on the insertion of a coin, i on thestriker plate or the equivalent and engaging the said slots causes thestriker plate or the equivalent to move transversely as the pin movesrelatively in the inclined parts of the respective slots. Thus, in theuse of a coin of larger size than a shilling, the upper end of thestriker plate orthe equivalent first moves radially; then recedes, andfinally moves radially to engage the smaller measuring wheel.

The pivoted. contact hereinbefore described is set in position betweenthe striker plate h and the opposite plate or side wall a of the coinholder, and may be carried upon a pin 9' passing transversely throughthe respective plates or side walls. the contact member 7' extendsthrough a transverse slot h in the striker plate or the equivalent a pinor stud ember 7 provided as.

A pin 7' carried by.

and through an arcuate slot (it formed in the wall a of the coinholderabout the pin 7' as a centre. By such means a coin holder ofsimple construction is provided that is adapted for actuation by coinsof two different values without any adjustment being necessary, theselection of the measuring wheels being effected on the insertion of oneor the other of the determined coins. By the provision of a pivotedcontact member through which movement is imparted to the striker plateor the equivalent on the insertion of the coin into the coin holdenthestriker plate is readily moved without any great stress being needed tobring it down to engage the crown or measuring wheel. It will beunderstood that the upper end of the coin holder is advantageously openso that the edge of the coin may contact with the inner face of thecircumferential wall of the casing, whereby the coin may thus engagewith recesses in the circumferential wall of appropriate form in knownmanner, by which the return movement of the coin holder maybe preventeduntil the coin is discharged on the completion of its rotation to thedetermined extent.

The coin-control mechanism illustrated in Figures 1 to 5 of the drawingsmay be modified so that the drive in one case is through the reducinggear while in the other case a drive with a 1:1 ratio may be secured.Such a construction is illustrated in Figures 10 to 12. Two coaxialmeasuring wheels (1, b are mounted within a cylindrical casing 0containing the coin holder at, and one or other of the measuring wheelsis adapted for selective operation by one of two coins, such as a pennyand a shilling. For this purpose one measuring wheel b is mounted upon aspindle b extending rearwardly through the end wall of the cylindricalcasing c of the coin holder, and on its outwardly protruding end apinion b is mounted, through which pinion movement is imparted to thequantity or valve operating mechanism through a reducing gear. Thespindle b is mounted within a liner or loosely fitting sleeve 12 whichis disposed within a tubular'sleeve a which passes through the end wallof the cylindrical casing c and has mounted on the inner end the secondmeasuring wheel a, while upon the rearwardly extending end of thetubular sleeve thereis mounted a segmental plate or arm e serving as agear disc or carrier that is adapted to support a spindle e disposedparallel with the spindle b and upon which is mounted a toothed wheel eand pinion c3 of the reducing gear that are secured to the spindle orotherwise rendered integral to rotate together, means being providedsuch as a plate e by which the outer end of the spindle e is supportedfrom the plate e by pins or screws 6 The toothed wheel e engages thepinion b on the spindle b of the measuring wheel 17, while the pinion eengages with a toothed wheel 1 upon a second or intermediate spindle Imounted to the rear ofrthe spindle b and co-axial therewith, the saidspindle fl being. conveniently supported by] a transverselydisposedframe plate gthat is suitably carried from the rear ofthe'cylindricalcasing 0 as from the frame plate 9 while a furthertransversely disposed supporting plate 9 is supported at the rear tocarry the differential or quantity mechanism in position between thesaid,

plate g and the plateg.

The spindle b is reduced at its rear end to permit entry within acentral cylindrical cavity formed in the adjacent end of theintermediate spindle f or within the toothed wheel 1 that may of thegear to the value of the coins for which and a shilling.

through. the differential or to the valve operating mechanism.

is secured, whileon -measuring wheel the I sun wheels h, n of which,

be integrally formed or dle F.

The liner or loosely fitting sleeve M. is provided at the inner end witha flange against which may abut aspring plate or washer b that isadapted to engage the rear face of the measuring wheel I) so that acertain degree of pressure may be imposed by which relative rotation ofone or other of the measuring wheels is avoided upon the other beingactuated. For this purpose a spring plate or washer 9 may be mountedupon the tubular sleeve a to the rear of the frame plate g the outerendsof which may contact with the rear face of the said plate. It will beunderstood that the respective spring plates or washers be anchored tothe cylindrical casing c or other means provided to ensure theapplication of sufficient friction to avoid rotation of one measuringwheel when the other is actuated.

-Movement is imparted by the toothed wheel 1 upon the intermediatespindle from the reclucing gear to a differential gear mounted to therear-thereof, it being understood that the ratio wheels may bedetermined according the mechanism is intended to be operated. Forexample, a ratio of 12:1 may be used in a mechanism designed to beoperated alternatively with a penny Thus, when an attempt is made toeffect the operation of means of a coin of a different size to that bywhich the mechanism is designed to be operated, the striker orcoin-operated lever does not engage with either of the measuring orcrown wheels. The coin holder mechanism employed is preferably adaptedselectively to operate one of the measuring wheels, that is to say, themeasuring wheel b alone or to lock the measuring wheels at and I)together to secure the direct drive or 1:1 ratio of movement from themeasuring wheels to the quantity mechanism. Any suitable coin holdermechanism may be used, such as those which are hereinafter described.Thus, in the operation of the mechanism a striker may engage in themeasuring wheel I) and by rotation of the coin mechanism the pinion b onthe outer end of the spindle b imparts a reduced gear drive through thereducing gear and quantity mechanism In the alternative operation with acoin such as a shilling, the striker or coin-operated'lever engages boththe measuring wheelsa and Z) whereby the respective spindles 21 a andthe gear wheels b 6 are locked, and a direct movement. is imparted tothe toothed wheel f mounted upon the intermediate spindle f whichmovement is transmitted to the differential gear. Alternatively, insteadof providing for the locking of the meassecured to the said spinuringwheels together a ratchet or free wheel device may be providedwhereby'upon the striker engaging one of the measuring wheels,independent movement through the reducing gear tw measuring wheelsrotate as one, thus securinga direct drive. Such a device is hereinafterdescribed.

The differential geaiyas illustrated in the ac-,

companying drawings, consists of two co-axial one h is secured upon theend of the intermediate spindle f while the other h is mounted upon aconcentric but rearwardly disposed tubular sleeve h in which is rothemechanism by engagement of the secondwardly into a-position to bereceived into a central recess in the spindle f and in a positionbetween the toothed wheels h and h is provided with a planet wheelcarrier h upon which are mounted planet pinions M, h in engagement witheach of the sun wheels h and M. By such means the drive is imparted fromthe intermediate spindle f through the toothed wheel h mounted at itsouter end.- At its rear end the spindle b of the differential gear hasmotmted upon it a valve operating member or cam or the equivalent 1' bywhich movement may be imparted to the meter valve lever, oralternatively the meter valve lever may be provided to, be operable fromthe spindle k of the differential gear-through a Maltese cross device inthe manner that is described and illustrated in Figures 4 and 5.Movement is imparted to the sleeve 71 of the differential gear on theoperation of the meter mechanismv from a worm 7' which engages atoothedwheel 9' upon the differential gear sleeve I2 whereby the metervalve lever may thus be returned for the closure of the valve on theoperation of the meter. At the rear end the spindle 71 of thedifferential gear may carry a pinion k to engage a toothed quadrant k bywhich a prepayment indicator 7: may be operated. Such mechanism may alsobe adapted for the operation of a coin stop for excessive prepaymentwhich is adapted to obturate the coin discharge opening of the coinholder casing. The obturator may be carried directly from the spindle W,or it may be operated from the said spindle by a contacting element orarm adapted to move the obturator rapidly into position on the dischargeof the last coin representing the permissible prepayment.

The carrier for the pinions of the diiferential gear may be provided asa plate, arm or segment which at its outer ends may be provided to carrythe respective ends of the spindles of the interengaging pinions. Thus,for example, two symmetrically formed plates may be provided which forthe main part are secured together and at the upper ends are providedwith parallel disposed outwardly extending parts serving to carry theends of the respective spindles in such position that the respectivepinions may engage one of the two toothed wheels referred to.

In the operation of. the mechanism described the coin of lower value isadapted to cause the rotation of the first crown wheel and spindle bywhich a reduced drive is imparted through the toothed wheel and pinionof the reducing gear to the intermediate spindle, whence movement isimparted to the valve operating mechanism through the differential gear,while when the coin of highervalue is used the movement of the connectedcrown wheels is directly communicated to the intermediate spindle andthence transmitted to the differential gear. Thus, the operating gear isalternatively used simply as a reducing gear, and means provided bywhich the reducing gear is locked for a direct drive from the crownwheels in the operation of the coin mechanism.

A construction of coin holder suitable for use with the coin-controlledmechanisms represented in Figures 10 to 12 is illustrated in Figures 13to 16. The coin holder proper a is conveniently provided to extendtransversely and outwardly from a rotatable disc b by which it iscarried, and the rotatable disc b is concentrically mounted at the innerface of a stationary price-changing disc 0 which is adapted cylindricalcasing e to close the open end of a within which the coin holder a iscaused to rotate by meansof an external 15d handle 1 applied upon a pinor the equivalent upon which the rotatable disc 12 is mounted upon theprice-changing disc 0, the coin holder at being provided of asubstantially oblong cross-section with its parallel walls set apart forthe accommodation between them of the coins by which the mechanism isoperable. The coin holder a is disposed parallel with a diametric linepassing through the axis of the rotatable disc b and adjacent thereto,and the rotatable disc I) is provided with a coin slot b adapted to bebrought into alignment on the rotation of the disc with a correspondingcoin slot in the price-changing disc 0, whereby on the alignment of theslots in the respective discs the coins may thus be laterally insertedinto the coin holder a so that the edge of the coin may protrudeoutwardly beyond the upper open end of the coin holder to contact withthe inner peripheral face of the cylindrical casing e in known manner.

A slide or coin table a is mounted within the coin holder a so as to beguided in its downward movements under the pressure of the coinsinserted into the coin holder against the resistance '1 of a helicalspring a which effects the return or upward movements. The spring ismounted adjacent the rear wall of the coin holder a in a positionadjacent and parallel with the rotatable disc 2) and is connected at oneend to a station- 'ary pin a secured in the rear wall of the coin holdernear its upper end to extend outwardly therefrom, while at the other endthe helical spring is secured to a pin a mounted upon the slide a andextending through the front and rear walls of the coin holder throughcoincident slots a disposed in positions adjacent the rotating disc 2),of which slots 11 the upper parts a are rectilinear and parallel withthe rotating disc I), and the lower parts a' are curvilinear and soshaped as topermit the downward movement of the pin a on the pivotalmovement of the slide which occurs on the insertion of a coin of largersize into the coin holder a. Thus, on this further movement of the pinand slide on the insertion into the coin holder of a coin of largersize, such as a penny, the pin and slide are subject to a curvilinearmovement. This movement is permitted by the rectilinear movement of theslide a being restricted by means of coin-.

oident rectilinear slots (1 provided in the front and rear walls ofthecoin holder (1 near the outer edge thereof and parallel therewith and apin a which passes through the said slots and also passes transverselythrough and is carried by. the slide a The pivot pin a is arrested inits downward movement by the bottom of the coincident slots 11 and theslide a can thus only con-,

tinue its movement underthe pressure of the larger coin by partiallyrotating about the pivot pin a to the extent that is permitted by thelower parts a" of the slot a A striker plate 9 is mounted outer face ofthe front wall of the coin holder and is connected with or secured tothe slide a within the coin holder by the pivot 'pin a .last referred toand by the pin a 'which may be connected to a part of the striker plateg that extends into a position adjacent the rotatable disc 2).

Near the upper end of the striker plate g a slot g is provided to extendacross the plate and is for the main part curvilinear, corresponding toan arc of a circle struck from the axis of the pivot pin a by which thestriker plate 9 and slide to slide upon the.

ment imparted to them on the insertion into the coin holder of a coin oflarger size. At the inner end this curvilinear slot g is downwardlydiverted to form a rectilinear communicating part 9 disposed parallelwith the rotating disc b, and a pin 9 is carried on the front wall ofthe coin holder 0. to pass through the said slot and to determine themovements of the strikerplate g; Thus, as illustrated in Figure 15, onthe insertion of a shilling laterally into the coinholder a a downwardrectilinear movement is imparted to the slide a and to the striker plateg connected to it, so that thus a double tooth g at the upper end of thestriker plate g may engage with the two juxta-posed quantity wheels h, iof the mechanism by which on the rotation of the coin holder a'a directmovement is imparted to the coin controlled valve operating mechanismsuch as that hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 10 to .12:in this movement of the striker plate the slot 9 moves relatively to thepin g so that the pin becomes positionedin the upper end of therectilinear part g of theslot 9 Similarly the pivot pin a by which thestriker plate g and slide a are connected'moves to the lower end of thecoincident rectilinear slots a in the front and rear walls of the coinholder. If a penny be inserted, as illustrated in Figure 16, the strikerplate'g and the slide a first move downwardly into the final positionassumed by them on the insertion of a shilling, but the slideinaccommodating the larger coin continues its movement further downward,and inasmuch as the rectilinear movement of the striker plate 9 andslide a are determined by the coincident rectilinear slots (1 in whichtheir pivot pin a slides, the striker plate and the slide under thefurther movement imposed on the introduction of the larger coin into thecoin holder rotate upon the stationary pivot pin (1 these movementsbeing permitted respectivelyby the curvilinear parts a of the coincidentslots a in the front and rear walls of the coin holder through which thepin a passes and by the curvilinear part of the slot g in the upper partof the striker plate 9. In this operation the double tooth g of thestriker plate g first engages the two adjacent quantity wheels h, i andthen recedes as shown in Figure 16 so that in the rotation of the coinholder a the two quantity wheels are not engaged by it, while the lowerend of the striker plate g which also is formed as a tooth g movesforward and upward along a circular path to engage the quantity wheel hthrough which movement may be imparted to-the valve operating mechanismon the rotation of the 'coin holder through the reducing gearing of thecoin freed mechanism before referred to. v

It will be understood that for operation in the manner described theslide a is provided of a determined form at its upper part whereby onits rotation onthe insertion of a coin of larger size, such as a penny,the coin is accommodated onof a circular or similarly curved shapeparticular-- 1y at its upper part, adjacent the coin slots in the coinholder and rotatable disc, against which the coins contact on theirinsertion into the coin holder, but .beyond this circular or similarlycurved part of the slide, the slidemay be provided with a slightdepression or cavitya upon which the smaller coin, when inserted intothe coin holder, may come to rest after. imparting the determineddownward movement to the slide a The latter may further be formed with astraight peripheral edge a l which, on the increase in the depth of thecoin pocket in the upper part of the coin holder produced on the partialrotation of the slide (2 permits of the larger coin being completelyaccommodated in the coin pocket and the straight part a of theperipheral edge of the slide assumes a position by which it presents tothe circular edge of the larger coin on its complete entry into the'coinholder a face which is substantially normal to the coin slot or thediscs I) and c.

The striker plate is advantageously provided at its respective ends withthe teeth g g integral therewith, for which purpose the metal of whichthe striker plate is formed is bent laterally at right angles near itsupper end, and then downwardly to form at the'upper. part a double toothg in a position in a diametric plane passing through the axis of thediscs b, c, thedouble tooth being adapted normally to extend beyond thefront edge of the coin holder, so that thus in the movement imparted toit on the introduction of a coin of smaller size, the double tooth isadapted simultaneously to engage both quantity wheels h, i. For thepurpose the respective engaging edges of the double tooth g may bedisposed at different levels and may be of such dimensions as may bedetermined by the diameter and proximity of the quantity wheels and theform and position of their teeth. At the lower end the metal of whichthe striker plate is formed is similarly bent laterally at right anglesand again downwardly to form an integral toothy disposed in thediametric plane passing through the axis of the discs, and is providedof such a form as to engage with the quantity wheel h when the lower endof the striker plate moves forward and upward on the insertion into thecoin holder of a coin of larger'size, whereby movement may be impartedto the coin operating mechanism through the reducing gearing ashereinbefore stated.

It will be understood that the pivot pin a may advantageously beprovided with a head by which the striker plate may be held in positionto slide on the outer face of the front wall of the coin holder, andthat similarly and for the same purpose'the guiding pin g that passesthrough the slot in the uppenpart of the striker plate may be providedwith a head.

- It will be understood that this construction of coin holder mechanismmay be rendered suitable for use with the coin-controlled mechanismrepresented in- Figures 1 to 5by the formation of the double'tooth g asa single toothto engage only the measuring wheel 2'.

ures 17 to 20. In this construction the price changing disc at isprovided in determined position withtwo parallel and juxtaposed slots ofsizes corresponding -respectively to shilling and. "penny, similar slotsb 11 ,01" an aperture'being' provided in the disc I) forming part of thecoin holder that is disposedon the inner face of the' price changingdisc, it being understood that the coin holder is concentricallymountediup'o'n the price changing disof and'is adapted in known mannerto be rotated by means'of' a handled, mounted externally. to thepricechanging 'disc The'coin' holder may in "known maiiner eomprisetwoparallel disp0sed=plates d; ethat extena'outi wardly from the disc band are set in position transversely across thefac'e of the disc atpositions near a diametric line, the plates being conveniently divertedat right angles at one end for the formation of lugs by which the platesmay be secured to the outer face of the disc b, while at the opposite orouter end one of the platesd may be bent to form an end wall d forengagement with the other, and thus form a rectangular cavity withinwhich the strikers f, g may be mounted to slide lengthwise and in planesparallel and adjacent to that in which the axis of the coin holder lies.The strikers may advantageously be provided to lie in the same plane,being for the main part of their length of a width approximatelyequivalent to one-half-thewidth of the cavity within the coin holder,and being respectively adapted to move transversely to the axis of thecoin holder by means of pins 9 f passing respectively through slots e 6in vertical line provided in the one Wall e of the coin holder, theslots beingprovided in line transversely to the axis of the coin holder.The striker g is further constrained to move transversely to the axis ofthe coin holder by a second pin 9 which also passes transversely througha slot in the wall e of the coin holder. The striker 7' is constrainedto a similar movement by reason of its shape relatively to that of thestriker g andthe relative disposition of 105 The pins U118 two strikersin the coin holder. 9 serve for the engagement of the lower ends ofcorresponding helical springs 9 F, the upper end of each of which maybeengaged upon a pin secured to or integral with the wall of the coinholder near the opposite end, so that thus the respective strikers maynormally be maintained'in their outermost position respectively out ofengagement with the quantity wheels h, i. The striker j that is adaptedto be actuated by a shilling is of slightly greater length thanthe-striker g that is adapted to be actuated by a penny, so that thusthe shilling striker at its upper end extends over the penny striker andforms an outwardly extending arm or pawl. Thus the arm or pawl of theshilling striker j extends outwardly from the endwall of the coin holderto engage the larger and outermost quantity' wheel 2', while the pennystriker g which is disposed adjacent the end wall; is at its upperendprovided with a shorter striker arm or pawl that is adapted to engagethe adjacent smaller "vided with a, groove for the "reception of thelower edge of the shilling coin on its introduc- 7 tion through the slotin the pricechanging disc,

Another COl'lStl'llCtlGIl of coin holder suitable for use, for example;with the mechanism rep-re "sented in Figures 10 to 12 is representedinFig f lr'iasm'uc'h as the transversely disposed part g forming'thebottom of the pocket for the coin of lower value'is disposedimmediately beneath and in contact with-the transversely disposed partqiforrning the bottom ofthepocket for the coin of higher value, itwillbeunder- LJ'O stood that when the coin of a higher value is introducedinto the coin holder both strikers are caused to move downwards orinwards to engage the respective quantity wheels. Further-- more it willbe understood that the penny striker at its upper end lies immediatelybeneath the over-hanging part of the shilling striker, and thus anymovement imparted to the shilling striker is necessarily imparted to thepenny striker.

In operation, it will be understood that by inserting a penny, forexample, through the appropriate slot and into the appropriate coinpocket, the penny striker g is depressed, so that its outwardlyextending arm engages the appropriate quantity wheel h, and the pennyremains parallel within the pocket i til the coin is ejected through thedischarge slot in the lower part of the casing 9 at which time thestriker is also disengaged from the quantity wheel. Furthermore thetransversely disposed part I of the striker f is provided with alaterally disposed upstanding portion f defining the coin space andhaving the inner face inclined or bevelled outwardly. By inserting ashilling, forexample, through the appropriate slot and into theappropriate coin pocket, both the shilling and penny strikers aredepressed, whereby both the adjacent quantity wheels are engaged and asthe coin holder is thereupon rotated the coin does not remain parallelwith the pocket but being held againstthe inner periphery of the casingby reason of the effect of the helical springs by which the respectivestrikers are subject, the coin is tilted into a position in which itlies against the inclined surface of the portion 1 with its outer edgein contact with the side of the adjacent penny pocket. The quantitywheels are thus rotated to an extent corresponding to that by which oneof the wheels would be moved on actuation of the mechanism with a pennyand the strikers disengage from the quantity wheels at exactly the sameposition on reaching the discharge slot 7' in the lower part of thecasing 7' as in the case on actuation by a penny. I

, The construction represented in Figures 21-23 follows closely thathereinbefore described. with reference to Figures 17 to 20, but ismodified to the extent necessary to permit the provision of meanswhereby the rejection from the coin holder of a coin of small sizeaccidentally inserted into the slot intended for coins of large size maybe ensured. The transversely disposed part 9 carried by the pennystriker g is reduced in thickness to the extent corresponding to thewidth of the coin pocket or coin space required to receive a penny, andupon the said part there is pivotally mounted the movable or ejectorelement k which serves to take theplace of the portion of thetransversely disposed part that has been omitted. The movable or ejectorelement is conveniently provided as a sector-like, plate that is pivotedat k to the transversely disposed part in a position adjacent the discI) by which the coin holder is carried. The angular movement of the saidelement about its pivotal point is determined by a slot k struck aboutthe pivotal point as centre, which slot engages a pin 70 also mounted inthe transversely disposed part before referred to.

The form of the upper or operative edge k of the element is is such thatwhen it is depressed .to the full extent permitted by the slot and pinthe forward part of the upper or operative edge comes to lie flush withthe upper surface of the transing coin pocket or coin space.

troduction of a shilling or a coin smaller than a g and pins g cupysubstantially versely disposed part and the rear part of the said edgecurves upwardly with a curvature and in a. position that will cause noobstruction to the insertion of a penny within the slot.

An extension 70 of the element below the pivotal point and the slot kserves to carry a pin k which extends outwardly through the adjacentwall of the coin holder through a slot d which follows approximately acurvature struck about the pivotal point of the movable, or ejectorelement as a centre and of a width to accommodate the movement of thepin projecting therethrough resulting from the movement of the pennystriker g on the insertion of a penny into the correspond- V The saidpin serves for the connection of a helical tension spring Z, the freeend of V which is anchored to a pin (i disposed towards the upper endand on the outside oi ;the adjacent walld of the coin holder. The actionof the spring thus serves normally to maintain the movable or ejectorelement k: in its uppermost position in which the lower end of the slot10 therein engages the cooperating pin k carried by the transverselydisposed part 9 of the pennystriker and in which 10 0 the upper oroperative edge 70 of the movable or ejector element It is now disposedas aninclined or curved surface extending upwardly in the interior ofthe coin pocket. Thus, on the in penny, the movable orejector element isnot depressed to the extent necessary to bring the forward part of theoperative or upper edge flush with the transversely disposed part of thepenny striker and thus by the action of the spring Z the element isreturned to its upper position with the consequent ejection of the coin.When, however, a penny or the coin for which the slot is intended isintroduced into the coin pocket-of the coin space, the element isdepressed to the extent that the upward reaction is diametricallyopposed to the pressure exerted upon the coin by the casing of the coinholder. The coin is thus in a stable position and no tendency exists forits ejection. p

Since the action of the helical tension spring Z is to raise the movableor ejector element to its uppermost position in which the pin k engagedin the slot k of the element is disposed at the lower end of the slot,the spring serves also for the purpose of maintaining the penny strikerg in the uppermost position. The helical spring g provided for thispurpose according to the construction described with reference, toFigures 1'7 to 20 may therefore be omitted.

The transversely disposed part i of the shilling striker f is alsoprovided on the outer side with an upwardly extending wall I serving todefine the correspondingwall of the penny coin pocket 135 or coin space,the said upwardly extending wall having an inclined inner face to permitthe shilling or like small coin when introduced into its slot to tiltover in the operation of the coin holder so'that its upper or outer edgemay octhe same position as that of a penny or corresponding coindisposed in the penny coin pocket or coin space. At its forward end,also, the transversely disposedpart'f of the shilling striker isadvantageously recessed to receive a roller which facilitates the entryof a coin into the corresponding coin pocket or recess. It will beunderstood that the invention is not limited to the details ofconstruction hereinbefore described, since these may be varied withoutdeits parting from the scope of the invention as hereinbefore set forthandthat the rejectorelement 'may'be applied to coin holder'mecha'nismsother than those described where possible andsuitable. The modified coincontrolled mechanism may be operated from measuring wheelsinter-connected by a ratchet or free wheel device so that a coin holderwith independently operating strikers maybe used while at'the same timethe measuring Wheels are locked together for one of thedrives. AConstruction of ratchet'and pawl or :free wheel mechanism isillustratedin Figures 24 and 250i the drawings. The quantity or measuring wheels a,b are disposed in juxta-position,

the smalleria which is adapted to be actuated by the coin mechanism onthe insertion of a coin of lower value being mounted upon or renderedintegral with a centralspindle'a}, while, the quantity or measuringwheel 6 which is' actuated by the mechanism on "the insertion into thecoin holder of a coin of higher-value is mounted upon orrendered'integral with a tubul'arsleeve 15 concentrically mountedwithreference to the spindle a before referred to.

The free wheel device comprises a ratchet wheel 0 mounted by means of asleeve 0 in fixed relation to the central spindle a in such positionthat when theparts are assembled it comes to lie between the quantity ormeasuring wheels a, b.- Thespindle a is conveniently formed with twofiat surfaces while th'ebore of the sleeve 0 is formed correspondingly.-A plurality of pawls 1: are mounted upon the larger quantity ormeasuring wheel b in such relative disposition that they are adapted toengage the ratchet'wheel alternately, that is to say, so that no morethan one pawl is at any time in engagement with the teeth of the ratchetwheel.

v 7 It will be understood that in the operation of the mechanism on theengagement'of the coin mechanism with the quantityor measuring wheel bin the use of a coin or higher value, thequantity or measuring wheel bis directly engaged and its movement'is communicated to the adjacentquantity or measuring wheel a through theratchet wheel 0 and pawls 0while in'the'operation of the mechanism, in the use of a coin of lowervalue the 'quantity or measuring wheel'a is directly engaged and nomovement is imparted 'to thequa'ntity'or measuring wheel b which issubjected to sufiicient friction-applied, for example, by way of aspring washer, for it to be held stationary. A spring washer disadvantageous ly 'disposedjbetween' the quantity or'measuring wheel a andthe ratchet wheel c and isanchored against rotation by a lug orextension d which 'engages'a slot'or stop inthe coin holder casing e.

It will be'understood further that the coin holder mechanism that isprovided to effect the rotation of the quantity or measuring wheels maybe of any suitable constructionrservingalternately for the engagement ofthe quantity'or measuring wheels a, b according asa coin of lower orhigher value'is inserted in the coin'hol'derw j As -'illustrated in theaccompanying drawings the adjustable price-change disc I supports arotatable disc g forming the front plate of the coin holder which iscompleted We casing 71 substantially U-shaped in cross section andmounted at the rear of the saidl'rotatable disc 9' diametrically orparallel with the'diameter.

are provided with adapted forthe reception of the'coinsof higher andlower'valueywhereby the coinsa're introduced e e The price-change disc fand the rotatable disc 9' coinslots disposed side by side andrespectively into corresponding coin pockets within the coin holder.Separate slidable striker plates 1', :i are provided for each coin, suchstrikerplates lying side by side against one of the walls of the coinholder casing 71. to which they are attached by means of screw pins isengaging slots m in the wall of the coin holder, which slots aredisposed parallel with the rotatable disc. The striker plates i, :i arerespectively extended through the rear of the coin holder and are thereformed as teeth i for the engagement respectively of the quantity ormeasuring wheels a, b. As will be observed from Figure 1 the extensionof the striker plate 2' lies above the upper end and extension of thestriker plate 7'. The striker plate a is provided with a coin platform1' secured to its outer face and extending from the front to the rear ofthe coin holder. Suchcoin platform is of a width sufiicient to extendacross the width of the coin holder casing and to serve for thereception of a coin introduced into the slot in the price-change discfar removed from the striker plate. The striker plate 1' is similarlyprovided with a coin platform i 'disposed above the coin platform :1 ofthe striker plate 7' and serves for the reception of the coin of highervalue. The said coin platform 2' is provided with an upwardly extendingwall 1' on the'outer face which forms a boundary to the coin pocket forthe coin of 'lower value which is adapted to be received upon the coinplatform 7' Each of the striker plates 21" is mounted underthe action ofa tension springn as illustrated in respect of the striker plate 2' forthe purpose of maintaining the corresponding striker plate in theuppermost position within the coin holder. The said coin holdermechanism is similar in its main features to those represented inFigures 1'7 to 23.

It will be understood that the invention is not limited to the detailsof construction hereinbefore described nor to the application of thefree wheel or ratchet device in conjunction with any particularconstruction of coin holder mechanism.

1. Prepayment mechanism for the control of the supply of.gas,.electricity and like commodities, comprising a coin holder casing,a coin holder within said casing adapted for a rotary movement andtoreceive coins of more than one size, a plurality of measuring wheels,means carried by the said coin holder selectively to engage saidmeasuring', wheels according to the size of the coin inserted into thecoin holder, a differential quantity mechanism consisting of two sunwheels, planet piniOns'cO-Qperating with the said sun wheels, and acarrier for the said planet pinions, an epicyclic reduction gearconnecting said measuring wheels with said quantity mechanism andtransmitting rotational movement of the meas- 2. Prepayment mechanismfor the control of the supply of gas, electricity and like'commodities,comprising acoin' holder casing, a coinholderwithinsaid casing adaptedfor a rotary-movement and to receive coins of more than one size,

a plurality of measuring wheels, means carried by the said coin holderselectively to engage said measuring wheels according to the size of thecoin inserted into the coin holder, a differential quantity mechanismconsisting of two sun wheels, planet pinions co-operating with the saidsun wheels, and a carrier for the said planet pinions, an epicyclicreduction gear connecting said measuringwheels with said quantitymechanism and consisting of two co-axial'and independent sun 'acommodity supply control element, and means for transmitting returnmotion to the quantity mechanism through the second sun wheel of thequantity mechanism from'a metering mechanism.

3. Prepayment mechanism for the control of the supply'of gas,electricity and like commodi ties, comprising a coin holder casing, acoin holder within said casing adapted for a rotary movement and toreceive coins of more than one size, a plurality of measuring wheels,means carried by the said coin holder selectively to engage saidmeasuring wheels according to the size of the coin inserted into thecoin holder, a differential quantity mechanism consisting of two sunwheels, planet pinions co-operating with the said sun wheels, and acarrier for the said planet pinions, an epicyclic reduction gear connecing saidmeasuring wheels with said quantity mechanism and consisting ofasun' wheel and a sun pinion which are co-axial and independent,

a planet carrier and a planet pinion and planet wheel co-axiallydisposed and in fixed relation and respectively geared with the sunpinion and the sun wheel, the planet carrier being adapted to rotateupon the common axis of the sun wheel and the sun pinion, the saidepicyclic reduction gear transmitting rotational movement of themeasuring wheels to one of the sun wheels of the quantity mechanism as amovement the angular extent of which is in proportion to the size of thecoin inserted into the coin holder, means related to the planet carrierfor operating a commodity supply control element, and means fortransmitting return motion to the quantity mechanism through the secondsun wheel of the quantity mechanism from a metering mechanism.

4. Prepayment mechanism for the control of the supply of gas,electricity and like commodities, comprising a coin holder casing, acoin holder within said casing adapted for a rotary movement and toreceive coins of more than one size, a plurality of measuring wheels,means carried by the said coin holder selectively to engage saidmeasuring wheels according to the size of the coin inserted into thecoin holder, a differential quantity mechanism consisting of two sunwheels, planet pinions co-operating with the said sun wheels, and acarrierfor the said planet pinions, an epicyclic reduction gearconnecting said measuring wheels with said quantity mechanism andtransmitting rotational movement of the measuring wheels to one of thesun wheels of the quantity mechanism as a movement the angular extent ofwhich is in proportion to the size of the coin inserted into the coinholder, a Maltese cross gear, the driving element of which is in fixedrelation to and rotates with the planet carrier of thedifferentialquantity mechanism,

a member for operating a commodity supply control element, which memberis in fixedrelation to and rotatable'with the driven element of theMaltese cross gear, and means for transmitting return motion'to thequantity mechanism i;

through the second sun wheel of the quantity mechanism from a meteringmechanism. 5. Prepayment mechanism for the control'o the supply of gas,electricity and like commodities, comprising two co-axial and juxtaposedmeasuring wheel s, a coin holder adapted for rotary movement abouttheaxis of the measuring wheel'sand to receive coins of more than one size,an abutment, such as a casing for the coin holder, and a pivotedcontactmember withinthe said coin holder between which the inserted cointo a degree determined by the size ofthe'coin, a striker plate withinsaid coin holder coupled to saidcontact member and'constrained inexecuting its full movement selectively to engage first one and then theother measuring wheel, and a spring returning said striker plateandcontact member to the initial'positions, a differential quantitymechanism consisting of two sun wheels,

planet pinions co-operating with the said 'sun wheels, and a carrier forthe said planet pinions, an epicyclic reduction gear connecting saidmeasuring wheels with said quantity mechanism and transmittingrotational movement of the measuring wheels to one of the sun wheels ofthe quantity mechanismas a movement the angular extent of which is inproportion to the size of the coin inserted into the coin holder, meansrelated to the planet carrier for operating a commodity supply controlelement, and-means for transmitting return motion to the quantitymechanism through the second sunwheel of the quantity mechanism fromametering mechanism. i

6. Prepayment mechanismv for the control of the supply of gas,electricity and like commodities, comprising a coin holder casing, acoin holder within said casing adapted for rotary movement and toreceive coins of more than one size, a plurality of measuring wheels,means carried by the said coin holder selectively to engage saidmeasuring wheels according to the size of the coin inserted into thecoin holder, a diiferential quantity mechanism, an epicyclic reductiongear connecting said measuring wheels with said quantity mechanism andconsisting of two sun wheels, a planet carrier and a planet pinion andplanet wheel ooaxially disposed and in fixed relation and geared withthe respective sun wheels, the planet carrier being adapted to rotateupon the common axis of the sun wheels and the said epicyclic reductiongear operating to transmit rotational movement of the measuring wheelsto the quantity mechanism as a movement the angular extent of which isin proportion to the size of the coin inserted into the coin holder,means related to the differential quantity mechanism for operating acommodity supply control element, and means for transmitting returnmotion through the quantity mechanism from a metering mechanism.

'7. Prepayment mechanism for the control of the supply of gas,electricity and like commodities, comprising a coin holder casing, acoins measuring wheels according to the size of theengages, the saidcontact member being rotated .ilO

.coin :inserted into the coin holder, a differential uantity-mechanismconsisting oftwo sunwheels, @lanet pinions cooperating with the said sunwheels, and a carrier for the said planet pinions, v:an ,epicyclicreduction gear connecting said'measluring wheels with said quantitymechanism and consistingof two coaxially and independent sun 1-Whee1s, aplanetary carrier and planetary wheels cooperating with said sun wheels,said epicyclic :reduction' gear operating to; transmit rotationalmovement of the measuring wheels to one of the sun-wheels of thequantitymechanismas a move- .ment the angular. extent, of which is inproportion to the ,size of ,the coin inserted into the coin 311016.61,means related-to the. planet carrier of :the quantity mechanism foroperating a comamodity supply control element, and means fortransmitting returnmotion to the quantity mechanism-from ameteringmechanism.

,8. :Prepayment mechanism for the control of the supply of-gas,electricityandlike commodities, ::.comprising two coaxially andjuxtaposed measuring wheels, a rotary coin holder adapted'toreiceiveicoinsof more than one size, an abutment, suchas-alcasing forthe coin holder, and apivoted vcontact member withinthe'said coinholderbe- .tween which the inserted coin engages, the said icontactimemherbeing rotated to a degree predeterminedbythe size of the coin, meanscarried by the coiniholder-and coupled to the contact member forselectively operating the :measuring wheels, 'alspring .for returningsaid means and contact member to their initial positions, a differentialquantityimechanism consisting of two sun wheels,-. planet pinionscooperating with the said'sun wheels, and a carrierfor the said planet-p'inions, aniepicyclic reduction gear connecting said-measuring wheelswith said quantity mechanism and transmitting rotational movement of themeasuring wheels to one of the sun wheels of the quantity mechanism as amovement, the angularextent of whi'ch'is in proportion to the sizeofthecoin inserted into the coil holder, means .related to the planet carrierfor operatingacommodity supply control element, and -means :for

transmitting return motion to the quantity mechanism through the secondsun wheelof the controlled means to selectively engage. andopcrate saidmeasuring wheels according to the size of the coin used, a differentialquantity mechanism, an epicyclic reduction gear connecting saidmeasuring wheels with said quantity mechanism for transmittingrotational movement of the measuring wheels to said quantity mechanismas a movement the angularextent of which is in proportion tothe size ofthe coin used, imeans related to the quantity mechanism for operating acommodity supply control element, and means for transmitting returnmotion 'to the quantity mechanism from a metering mechanism.

10. Prepayment mechanism for the control of the supply of gas,electricity andlike commodities, comprising a plurality of measuringwheels, coin controlled means to selectively engage and. op-

erate said measuring wheels according to the size of the coin used, adifferential quantity mechanism consisting of a pair of sun wheels,planet gears cooperating with the said sun wheels, and a carrier for=thesaid planet gears, an epicyclic reduction gear coupling said measuringwheels with said quantity mechanism fortransmitting rotational movementof the measuring wheels to one of the sun wheelsof the quantitymechanism as a movement the angular extent-of which isin

